Broom having mounting member for a detachable brush element



Dec. 8, 1959 R. s. HALL 2,915,768

BROOM HAVING MOUNTING MEMBER FOR A DETACHABLE BRUSH ELEMENT Filed Nov. 19, 1956 INVENTOR: RA LPH E3. HA1. 1-

M1450 ATTORNES S.

BROOM HAVING MOUNTING IVIEMBER FOR A DETACHABLE BRUSH ELEMENT Ralph S. Hall, Compton, Calif.

Application November 19, 1956, Serial No. 623,125

6 Claims. (31. 15-244 The present invention relates generally to the field of brooms and in particular to an improved broom which has a replaceable sweeping element or brush.

An object of my invention is to provide a broom or the like, which has a replaceable sweeping element or brush. When the brush becomes worn, damaged or soiled beyond renovation, it can be discarded and a new brush attached. The broom can thus be renewed at a fraction of its original cost whereby its life is greatly extended.

Another object of my invention is to provide a broom of this type having improved means of attaching a brush thereto. The invention contemplates the use of a resiliently deformable brush or part of a brush that is adapted to receive a co-acting element of the broom. This co-acting element is firmly held by the resiliently deformed brush material in such a way that the brush cannot be displaced from the broom during use. Furthermore the means of removable connection of the brush and handle permits reinforcement of the brush so that it will not be unduly flexible whereby firm sweeping pressure can be applied to the broom without any danger of loss ofthe brush.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a broom of extremely inexpensive structure which at the same time is sturdy and adapted to withstand hard use. I n particular, my invention provides a simple assembly of parts that can be accomplished by unskilled persons in the fabrication thereof. The simplicity of the assembly also permits very quick replacement of the brush element by the consumer.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following detailed description thereof and from the annexed drawing illustrating a presently preferred embodiment of the invention in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a broom embodying my invention showing the broom in its assembled condition;

Figure 2 is a vertical exploded view showing the brush and brush mounting means of the device shown in Figure 1 and particularly disclosing the relationship of the coactifig connecting elements of the brush and mounting means;

Figure 3 is a vertical elevation, partly cut away, of the assembled brush and brush mounting means; and

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 3 showing the manner of connection of the broom handle to the brush mounting means.

In the drawings the assembled broom is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. As can best be seen in Figure 1, the broom includes a brush 12, a mounting member 14 and a detachable handle 16. As is apparent, the handle 16 can be of any desired length and if preferred it may be formed integrally with the mounting member 14. The handle 16 and mounting member 14 are intended to remain in assembled condition but the brush 12 can easily and quickly be removed in order to be discarded or for cleaning thereof.

The brush 12 is made of a single piece of a resiliently deformable material and can assume any desired shape. In the present instance,.the brush 12 is made of a synthetic rubber or plastic foam material and is provided with a flat, sweeping. surface 18. The upper surface 20 of brush 12 is preferably parallel to the sweeping surface ice 18 while the opposite ends 22 ofthe brush converge upwardly for reasons which will presently be apparent.

Referring now to Figure 2, it will be seen that the brush 12 is formed with a center cavity 24 that is flanked by a pair of cavities 26. The cavities 24 and 26 are indicated in dotted line and are preferably formed by,

slitting the foam like material of brush 12 along the longitudinal center line of the upper surface 20 of brush 12. It will be observed that the cavities 24 and 26 are of substantial depth but do not extend to the sweeping surface 1 8. It should further be observed that the flanking cavities 26 at their lower or inner ends are substantially longer than the upper ends thereof. The reason for this arrangement will later be set forth in detail.

In the broom 10 the brush 12 is preferably made of a synthetic plastic foam material in order to generate a static electrical charge when the sweeping surface 18 is drawn over a surface to be cleaned. The generation of such a charge enables the user to remove from the surface being cleaned extremely minute dust particles as well as fine lint and other hairs which would not be picked up by the bristles of an ordinary broom. It is to be understood that if desired the brush 12 could incorporate conventional bristles which would then be molded integrally with a resiliently deformable member at the upper ends thereof.

The mounting member 14 is preferably molded as an integral unit from a plastic material. The member 14 includes a substantially rectangular base 28 which is adapted to contact the upper surface 20 of the brush 12 in the manner shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4. It will be observed that the base 28 is neither as long nor as wide as the upper surface 20 of the brush so that when broom 10 is used in close quarters, as on its side under a piece of furniture, there is no danger of scratching the furniture with the edges of the base 28.

Protruding downwardly from the lower side of base 28 is a center reinforcing member 30 which is flanked by a pair of reinforcing elements or members 32. The reinforcing elements 30 and 32 are similar in configuration to the cavities 24 and 26, respectively, and are adapted to be inserted into said cavities. As can best be seen in Figure 2, the element 30 is appreciably longer than the cavity 24 while the elements 32 are longer than corresponding portions of the cavities 26. The vertical dimensions of the elements 30 and 32 are the 7 same as the vertical dimensions of the cavities 24 and 26. Each of the elements 30 and 32 along vertical edges thereof is preferably formed with a plurality of notches such as are generally indicated by the numeral 34. By virtue of this arrangement, the mounting member 14 can quickly and easily be removably secured to the brush 12. Due to the differences in the length of the elements 30 and 32 and the cavities 24 and 26, when it is desired to insert the mounting member 14 into the brush 12, the brush must be stretched to elongate the cavities 24 and 26 so that the elements 30 and 32 are insertable into the corresponding cavities. When the 'brush has been elongated in this manner, the mounting member 14 is inserted until the base 28 comes into contact with the upper surface 20 of the brush 12. The material of brush 12 is then released whereby it comes into tight frictional engagement with the reinforcing elements 30 and 32. It will be observed that the elements 32, as shown in Figure 3, have a wedging type of engagement with brush 12 which resists any withdrawal of the mounting member 14 from the brush. As can also be seen in Figure 3, the material of brush 12 enters into and occupies the notches 34 and this arrangement aids in'maintaining brush 12 and mounting member 14 in assembled relationship. To further insure the security of this assembly the elements 30 and 32 can be provided on opposite sides thereof with integrally formed pin-like projections 48 which will embed themselves in the material of brush 12.

The upper surface of the base 28 has integrally formed thereon means for connection of the handle thereto. A pair of upstanding ribs 35 are formed along the longitudinal center line of the base 28 that terminate in confronting wall surfaces 36. The confronting walls 36 are symmetrically disposed relative to the center of the base 23 and are interconnected by a web 33 that has a centrally disposed bore 4-4) therethrough. Extending transversely of the base 28 on opposite sides of the center of the web 38 is an integrally formed upstanding rib 5t Referring now to Figure 1, it will be seen that the handle 16 is of such diameter as to be axially slidably receivable between the confronting walls 36. As is shown in dotted line in Figure 4, the lower end of the handle 16 has a slot 42 opening thereinto that is adapted to slidably engage the web 38, and a shallower slot 52 at right angles to slot 42 that is adapted to receive the rib 59. The slotted lower end of handle 16 is also formed with a transverse bore or hole 44 which is adapted to register with the bore id of the Web 38. A nut and bolt 46 or other similar fastening means is then inserted through the aligned bores to secure the handle 16 to the mounting member 14-.

The manner of use of the invention is very simple and is believed to be readily apparent from the foregoing description. The broom it} will initially be sold in the assembled condition of Figure 1. The broom is used in the conventional manner by drawing the sweeping surface 13 over the surface to be cleaned. When the brush 32 becomes soiled. damaged, or worn out it may readily be replaced merely by pulling at opposite ends thereof and thereafter drawing the reinforcing elements 35 and 32 outwardly thereof. A new brush 1?. may then be connected to the elements 38 and 32 in the manner previously described, i.e. by stretching the brush 1?. from opposite ends and thereafter inserting elements 3% and 32 into the cavities 24 and 26.

Referring now to Figure 3 it will be seen that in the assembled condition the reinforcing elements and 32 extend downwardly into the brush 12 for a substantial distance. Inasmuch as the brush 12 is preferably made of a resiliently deformable material if it were not for the substantial depth of penetration of the elements 36 and 32 undue lateral deformation would take place in the brush 12 when it was drawn over a surface. Accordingly, the elements 36 and 32 also serve to reinforce the brush 1?. against such undesirable deformation.

As has previously been pointed out, if it becomes necessary to use the broom it) in tight quarters, as for instance beneath an article of furniture, it may be laid on its side without any danger of the edges of base 23 coming into disfiguring contact with the furniture.

If for any reason the handle 16 becomes broken it too can be replaced by virtue of the arrangement shown. Another handle may easily be altered to fit the handle mounting means of the member 14 merely by cutting a deep slot adapted to receive the web 38 and a shallower slot, at right angles to the deep slot, adapted to receive the rib 5i}. It will be noted that with this arrangement of crossed slots any looseness or play in the connection of the handle to mounting member 14 is avoided even though but one connecting bolt 46 is used. Thus, if the diameter of handle 16 is less than the spacing between confronting walls 36, the bolt connection 46 in conjunction with the rib and slot connection 50, 52 will nevertheless provide a rigid connection.

While there has been shown herein what is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made with respect to the foregoing description without departing from the spirit of the inven tion or the scope of the following claims. I

I claim:

1. A broom, comprising: an elongated brush that is formed of a resiliently deformable material having a plurality of longitudinally extending and aligned cavities opening into the upper surface thereof, said cavities at their inner ends being longer than at their outer ends; a mounting member having a base adapted for seating on the upper surface of said brush, said base having a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing elements protruding downwardly therefrom that are adapted for insertion into the cavities of said brush to inhibit lateral deformation of said brush during sweeping, said elements at their lower ends being longer than the inner ends of said cavities so that when said elements are inserted into said cavities said brush is resiliently deformed to frictionally connect said brush and said mounting member; a pair of confronting walls on the upper surface of said mounting member adapted to confine the lower end of a handle therebetween and that are interconnected by a web; a handle that can be axially slidably inserted between said walls to receive said web in a slot opening into its lower end; and a fastener connecting said handle to said web.

2. A broom comprising: an elongated brush formed of a resilient material having opposite end surfaces that converge upwardly to an upper surface of said brush, said brush being formed with a plurality of aligned slits extending longitudinally of said brush and opening into said upper surface at spaced intervals along the longitudinal center line thereof, said slits having a depth of substantially one-half the altitude of said brush and a pair of said slits adjacent said converging end surfaces of said brush, each of said slits having opposite ends also converging upwardly whereby the bottom ends of said pair of slits are longer than the open ends of said pair of slits; a mounting member having a fiat substantially rectangular base portion adapted for seating on the upper surface of said brush and formed with a plurality of aligned reinforcing elements normally disposed along the longitudinal center line of the bottom surface of said base adapted for full mating insertion into said slits to inhibit lateral deformation of said brush during sweeping, each of said elements in longitudinal dimension exceeding the length of the slit in which it is disposed to stress the material of said brush into forceful engagement with said elements and a pair of said elements at opposite ends of said base each having opposite edges converging upwardly to include an angle therebetween substantially equal to the convergence of the opposite ends of each of said pair of slits to wedgingly resist withdrawal of said pair of elements from said slits during use of said broom; and handle means secured to said mounting member.

3. A broom comprising: an elongated brush that is formed of a resiliently deformable material having a plurality of longitudinally extending and aligned cavities opening into the upper surface thereof, said cavities at their inner ends being longer than at their outer ends; a mounting member having a base adapted for seating on the upper surface of said brush, said base having a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing elements protruding downwardly therefrom that are adapted for full mating insertion into the cavities of said brush, said elements at their lower ends being longer than the inner ends of said cavities so that when said elements are inserted into said cavities said brush is resiliently deformed to frictionally connect said brush and said mounting member; a pair of confronting walls extending transversely of the upper surface of said base adapted to slidably receive therebetween the lower end of a handle; a web extending longitudinally of said base between said walls and formed with a central bore; a transverse rib protruding upwardly from said base midway between said walls; an elongate handle with a transverse slot opening into its lower end adapted to receive said web therein and a second slot normal to said first mentioned slot adapted to receive said rib, the lower end of said handle having a bore adapted to register with the bore of said web; and a fastener fastening through said aligned bores to connect said handle and member, said rib, fastener, and walls serving to prevent displacement of said handle in a direction longitudinally of said brush and said web serving to prevent displacement of said handle in a direction laterally of said brush.

4. A broom comprising: an elongated brush of truncated triangular configuration formed of a resilient synthetic foam material having opposite end surfaces that converge upwardly to an upper surface of said brush, said brush being formed with a plurality of aligned slits extending longitudinally of said brush and opening into said upper surface at spaced intervals along the longitudinal center line thereof, said slits having a depth of substantially one-half the altitude of said truncated triangular configuration and a pair of said slits adjacent said converging end surfaces of said brush each having opposite generally vertically extending ends also converging upwardly whereby the bottom ends of said pair of slits are longer than the open ends of said pair of slits; a mounting member having a flat substantially rectangular base portion adapted for seating on the upper surface of said brush, said base portion having a length and width of lesser dimensions than the length and width respectively of said upper surface and said mounting member being formed with a plurality of aligned reinforcing elements normally disposed along the longitudinal center line of the bottom surface of said base adapted for full mating insertion into said slits to inhibit lateral deforma tion of said brush during sweeping, each of said elements in longitudinal dimension exceeding the length of the slit in which it is disposed to stress the material of said brush into forceful engagement with said elements, and a pair of said elements at opposite ends of said base each having opposite edges converging upwardly to include an angle therebetween substantially equal to the convergence of the opposite ends of each of said pair of slits to wedgingly resist withdrawal of said pair of elements from said slits during use of said brooms, all of said elements along the vertical edges thereof being formed with a plurality of notches to receive said stressed brush material to hold said brush on said elements; a plurality of integral pins on each of said elements extending laterally from opposite sides thereof to embed themselves in the material of said brush; a pair of confronting walls extending transversely of the upper surface of said base adapted to slidably receive therebetween the lower end of a handle; a web extending longitudinally of said base between said walls and formed with a central bore; a transverse rib protruding upwardly from said base midway between said walls; an elongate handle with a transverse slot opening into its lower end adapted to receive said web therein and a second slot normally disposed to said first mentioned slot adapted to receive said rib, the lower end of said handle having a bore adapted to register with the bore of said web; and a fastener extending through said aligned bores to connect said handle and member, said rib, fastener, and Walls serving to prevent displacement of said handle in a direction longitudinally of said brush and said web serving to prevent displacement of said handle in a direction laterally of said brush.

5. A broom, comprising: an elongated brush that is formed of a resiliently deformable material having a plu rality of longitudinally extending and aligned cavities opening into the upper surface thereof, said cavities at their inner ends being longer than at their outer ends; a mounting member having an elongated flat base adapted for seating on the upper surface of said brush, said base having a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing elements of configurations similar to the configurations of said cavities protruding downwardly from said base that are adapted and arranged for full mating insertion into the cavities of said brush, said elements at their lower ends being longer than the inner ends of said cavities so that when said elements are inserted into said cavities said brush is resiliently deformed to frictionally connect said brush and mounting member; an upstanding integral web extending longitudinally along the upper surface of said base that is formed with a bore; an elongate handle with a transverse slot opening into its lower end adapted to receive said web therein, the lower end of said handle having a bore to register with the bore of said web; and a means extending through said aligned bores to hold said handle and member together.

6. A broom, comprising: an elongated brush of quadrangular configuration formed of a resilient synthetic foam material having opposite end surfaces that converge upwardly to an upper surface of said brush, said brush being formed with a plurality of aligned slits extending longitudinally of said brush and opening into said upper surface at spaced intervals along the longitudinal center line thereof, a pair of said slits adjacent said converging end surfaces of said brush each having opposite generally vertically extending ends also converging upwardly whereby the bottom ends of said pair of slits are longer than the open ends of said pair of slits; a mounting member having a flat substantially rectangular base portion adapted for seating on the upper surface of said brush, said base portion having a length and width of lesser dimensions than the length and width respectively of said upper surface and said mounting member being formed with a plurality of aligned reinforcing elements normally disposed along the longitudinal center line of the bottom surface of said base adapted and arranged for full mating insertion into said slits to inhibit lateral deformation of said brush during sweeping, each of said elements in longitudinal dimension exceeding the length of the slit in which it is disposed to stress the material of said brush into forceful engagement with said elements, and a pair of said elements at opposite ends of said base each having opposite edges converging upwardly to include an angle therebetween substantially equal to the convergence of opposite ends of each of said pair of slits to wedgingly resist Withdrawal of said pair of elements from said slits during use of said broom; a plurality of integral pins on each of said elements extending laterally from opposite sides thereof to embed themselves in the material of said brush; an upstanding fixed Web extending longitudinally on the upper surface of said base and formed with a central bore; an elongate handle with a diametral slot opening into its lower end adapted to receive said web therein, the lower end of said handle having a bore to register with the bore of said web; and a fastener means extending through said aligned bores to hold said handle and member against separation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 956,105 Knickerbocker Apr. 26, 1910 1,318,964 Chess Oct. 14, 1919 1,475,102 Withycombe Nov. 20, 1923 1,631,133 Jones June 7, 1927 1,704,564 Friedland Mar. 5, 1929 1,705,109 Essbach Mar. 12, 1929 2,224,462 Williams Dec. 10, 1940 2,231,234 Weil Feb. 11, 1941 2,491,274 McNeil Dec. 13, 1949 2,716,769 Satterfield Sept. 6, 1955 2,735,129 Lorenz Feb. 21, 1956 2,744,279 Heber May 8, 1956 2,787,016 Carpenter Apr. 2, 1957 2,856,625 Delacretaz Oct. 21, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 176,872 Switzerland July 16, 1935 487,541 Canada Oct. 28, 1952 723,815 France Jan. 19, 1932 

